Category Archives: 5 Songs I am Singing

Song is my love language.

The Farmer Inside

4 Home & Garden/Food & Seasons, 5 Songs I am Singing, 9 TV & Movies/Books & Entertainment, Stuff I Actually Think

Way down, deep inside me, there resides a farmer.

Remember the TV show Green Acres?  While I found Eva Gabor fascinatingly glamorous and interesting, I had to agree with her husband:

Green Acres is the place to be!
Farm living is the life for me.
Land spreadin’ out so far and wide
Keep Manhattan just give me that countryside! 

Were it not for having to be up by 4:30 to milk the cows and feed the horses at 5 and then getting back to the house to fix a big hearty breakfast for all the field hands, if there weren’t so many eggs to collect and pigs to chase, if I didn’t have to plow and spread, and sow and till and irrigate and seed and pray for rain and then pray for the rain to stop, if the weather couldn’t wipe out my entire crop in one fell swoop, if I could be guaranteed the livestock would never get disease or freeze to death or escape the fence I needed to have repaired, I’d be a farmer.  I really would.

Below is one of those email forwards going around.    Made me wish I had my own tractor.

OLD FARMERS ADVICE:

 Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.

Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.

A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.

Words that soak into your ears are whispered…not yelled.

Meanness don’t jes’ happen overnight.

Forgive your enemies; it messes up their heads.

Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.

It don’t take a very big person to carry a grudge.

You cannot unsay a cruel word.

Every path has a few puddles.

When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.

The best sermons are lived, not preached.

Most of the stuff people worry about ain’t never gonna happen anyway.

Don’t judge folks by their relatives.

Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll enjoy it a second time.

Don’t interfere with somethin’ that ain’t bothering you none.

Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin’.

Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.

The biggest troublemaker you’ll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin’.

Always drink upstream from the herd.

Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin’ it back in.

If you get to thinkin’ you’re a person of some influence, try orderin’ somebody else’s dog around.

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.

Happy Birthday to My Dad

1 Christ is All, 2 Mi Familia, 3 Celebrations & Festive Events, 5 Songs I am Singing, Stuff I Actually Think, , , , , , ,

Happy Birthday, Dad~

Seventy-one years ago today Ressie Belle, widowed just weeks earlier by a tragic automobile accident, cradled you in her arms: a son who would carry on his father’s name, A. Ross Moslander.

That’s a tough start during hard times.  But you have done that name proud.  You’ve lived vigorously, for both yourself and the father you never knew.

No one in the world could ever doubt you were born for God’s purposes, papasan.  Since you found Jesus and He found you under that starry sky on Missouri farmland when you were 15, you’ve been on an adventureous journey of faith with all the Type-A, driven  energy of an Olympic runner, eyes set on the prize.

And you have spurred the rest of us along ~ thousands of friends and relatives and acquaintances and church members along the way, but especially your family, us kids.  And your zeal burns hot into the next generation, your impact is just getting revved up.  I am spending my life trying to keep up with my amazing dad.

You are the Psalms 127 and 128 man, dad.  You are the man in Psalms 112:  you are blessed and your children are mighty in the land.  Your heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.  Your family is fruitful and growing and you have received so much heritage from the Lord (talk about a full quiver!).  Your sons and grandsons are like arrows in your hands – the enemy does not want to contend with you when he sees this army you have unleashed in the land!  Look at your children and their children and now their children’s children:  we all love you, honor you, respect you and celebrate you!

Happy birthday, holy man.  Happy Birthday, my dad and my hero.  I love you….Jeanie

NOTE TO SELF:  Call dad.  Wish him a happy birthday.

Youtube: Got together the other night for dinner and sang to you.  Stephanie and Gavin weren’t there, but the rest of us Rhoades-Kelleys-Powers were.  

Jon on Hope for Haiti

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This is Jon Powers on the drums with Justin Timberlake and Matt Morris on the Hope for Haiti telethon Friday night.  Jon is my son-in-law, Dave’s, brother.

Such a quiet, sweet, soulful performance of “Hallelujah,” the classic Leonard Cohen song.  Tredessa says I simply cannot write the words to the song on this blog.

There is a family debate about whether or not Elvis once sang this song.  Stormie is sure of it.  And after she said so, I could sort of hear him singing it in my head, too.

But Tredessa says Elvis wouldn’t have touched this song with a 10-foot pole (due to risque themes)…and I guess it wasn’t even released until some years past his death.  But, so, ok.  Stormie and I think Elvis should sing it – if he is still alive, as sometimes purported

Nonetheless, Hallelujah!…Jeanie

SONG FOR A SUNDAY: How Deep is Your Love ~

5 Songs I am Singing, 6 Looking Back // Memories!, 9 TV & Movies/Books & Entertainment, Stuff I Actually Think, ,

The BeeGees!  Unplugged.

This is a an audio-only recording of the BeeGees in the studio as they are actually putting one of the most incredibly beautiful and timeless songs together for posterity.  You hear them toy with lyrics and experiment with different chord progressions.  For almost 10 minutes, you are caught up in the creative process hearing those amazing voices, the magic 3 becoming one polyganol, complex arianic harmony reverberating through your very soul and blending effortlessly as they explore various  possibilities for the final rendition. 

Originally recorded in 1977, this song hung out in the top ten on the charts for 17 weeks.  LISTEN TO THIS (really!) and see how a classic love song is composed, discovered, birthed, created.  I am in love with the process, the era, the melody, the creativity and the breath and poetry of it! 

There is no question they were pulling song from the very heavenlies, where embrocated music flows thick for healing, crescendo and diminuendo, the rise and fall of sweet sound swelling like the ocean and leaving its imprint as it recedes.  What’s captured on this recording is so soft and gentle,  yet full-heavy with fervent emotion.  And though I have always mourned my inability to be poetic and lyrical and fear to even attempt it, there is also no question that listening to these voices pulls on

my strong desire

to be able to say in words

what I simply cannot,

yet feel.

so.

deeply. 

How deeply?  Mmmm, mm…  So very. 

you have to disagree with everything except the piano, black

and white keys marking the path you must climb step…

-Anthony Walton on Jazz

If the remaining two brothers Gibb could just be at a piano in my house doing this forever ~ then aaaahhhh…heaven, almost too much {veiled reference, wink wink}.  And if music, and all art, really, is meant to invoke emotion from those who experience it…this is art – the art on the walls of my heart.

The flawless recording as we have all come to know and love it, How Deep is Your Love

From Saturday Night Fever.

Beegees Home

BeeGees on YouTube A great live performance of this same song.

www.beegees.com

M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S !

2 Mi Familia, 5 Songs I am Singing, 7 Keep Christmas, Stuff I Actually Think, ,

“How wise the wise men must have been

To find the child in Bethlehem.

He lives again and draws us near,

Christmastime is here.

 

A tale of love that never dies

The laughter in the children’s eyes.

The child in me is always there.

Christmas is my favorite time of year.

 

The mist of wonder lies under my tree

The gift of memories is waiting for me.

 

The day will come and soon depart

The spirit stays to heal my heart

With love for people everywhere

Christmas is my favorite time of the year.”

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Merry Christmas, everybody.  I have you in my heart…Love,  Jeanie (thanks for reading!)

*One of my favorite Christmas songs from a Kenny Rogers album in the early 1980’s: Christmas is My Favorite Time of the Year.

The Tintinnabulation of the Eve ~ One Day until the Christmas Bell Rings

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Come on, Ring those Bells! 

That was An Evie song that I solo’ed on in the early 80’s and later our three little girls, Tara, Stephie and Dessa would sing together in matching Christmas dresses with red ribbons in their long hair, delighting congregations and their parents!

Everytime a bell rings, and angel gets its wings. 

Famous folklore from the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life.

Sleigh Bells, Jingle Bells, Silver Bells, Church bells.

There are a lot of bells ringing, it seems, around this time of year.  It is a bit daunting and I am tempted to yell, like Uncle Leo on Seinfeld, “Would somebody answer that [@#$%]  phone?!? 

But through crazy-loud-manic-silly-overdone-ear-piercing noise, I am listening.  I am listening for that one clear note, that beautifully and perfectly played note away from the fray.  I depend upon the tintinnabulation to bring things back into order, to make the world right again, to center my focus and bring some calm.

And while Christmas, the worship of the Savior who came, can get lost amid the piles of wrapping paper and receipts, and can be hard to find after too many parties and rooms full of people, that crystal-clear note is really the sound of the angels on high while a baby takes His first breath in a manger amid the animal dung and feed.  The tintinnabulation that rings so clear and true even still is the glorious song those angels sang so joyously and raucously over two-thousand years ago:

“Glory to God in the highest; and on earth, peace, goodwill toward men [on whom His favor rests].”

I am always so pleased to hear the radio stations play, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, for lyrically (written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow), they are releasing into the air each Christmas season, the solid truth of that particular angelic declaration that rings through the ages and is louder still, even now:

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.”

Till, ringing singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!

God is not dead, nor does He sleep!  That is the true and reliable tintinnabulation for which I am listening, and endlessly, whether I listen for it or not, it rings on, unbroken by time or space or world condition. 

Casting Crowns recorded the lyrics with a haunting new melody last Christmas, a version they are even playing on Kosi 101 this year. Enjoy a live rendition below, and be thrilled again by God’s goodwill toward you!  (And, by the way, shhhhh, Casting Crowns has confirmed for Heaven Fest 2010)…

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day ~ Casting Crowns


And wild and sweet the words repeat of Peace on earth, goodwill to men!

2 Days until Christmas ~Too Delightful, Too Sweet!

2 Mi Familia, 5 Songs I am Singing, 7 Keep Christmas, 9 TV & Movies/Books & Entertainment, Stuff I Actually Think, , , , ,

Keep Christmas.

“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all year.” Charles Dickens

I have a whole blog category called “Keep Christmas” inspired by this very quote.  Keep: to continue, maintain, look after, maintain possession of.  Provide and nourish it.  Maintain, preserve and enjoy it.  And what are we keeping anyway?  The Christ Mass, the worship of Jesus Christ.  Of course I will Keep Christmas.  With all my heart!

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The PJ Party

Of all our social engagements during the festive holidays, there is none so important nor more desirous for which to be invited than the PJ Party with the Grandbebes.  The Little Prince himself called for this royal celebration this year, already having deemed it a most regal tradition.

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This year’s soiree included “Ice” skating at The Orchard where Gemma promptly fell on her “buns” and did not like skating at all after that, telling every stranger who cared to engage her, “I can’t skate anymore, I am too little,” while Averi went at it as if she were born on ice and Guini fell if anyone skated past her within a 20-foot radius, presumably the wind itself knocking the little featherweight down.  But she would laugh hilariously and get right back up and the boys?  Well they were boys!.  Then there was Taco Bell and these 5 can put away the chips and Nacho Cheese like nobody’s business. 

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Dave had the 2 little girls while I drove Gavin, Hunter and Guini home.  We decided to sing Christmas carols at the top of our lungs, in between theologiocal discussions about how God could be everywhere at once and what God looks like and how God was right there in the car blessing Hunter and holding his hand that very second.  Somewhere between “Let it Snow” and “Jingle Bells,” just after the kids had happily spotted the giant star atop the Christmas tree at the Brighton City Hall as we passed, Guini, moved by the true meaning of Christmas, led out a strong, rousing rendition of “Oh no, You never let go.”  Yes.  The Matt Redman song.  And they worshipped their little heads off.

Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me
Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

Then…

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The annual Reindeer prints: footprint for the head, 2 hand prints for the antlers, the forefinger for eyes and a thumbprint for the nose.  These were created to take home for mommys and daddys – a reminder of how much they have grown since last year.  Colorful paint and water flew in every direction, but voila!  Art!

Then hot chocolate for all and we got in our jammies and pulled the couch close to the TV for watching Sprout and Elf while munching on popcorn. 

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The Party lasts all night and into the morning.

At exactly 6:13 this morning, I heard the rumble of small feet tear through the house and shrieks of naughty glee and giggles pierced the sweet sleep I so longingly clung to.  Capt’n Crunch Christmas Cereal, helping Poppa wrap presents and place them under the tree and early morning screenings of the classics:  Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and Frosty the Snowman, our very own film festival!    They are making tents of blankets and Baby Jesus is missing.  We have sent out a search party, but Gemma announces from the top of the stairs, in that particularly little-lamb voice of hers, “I can’t find Baby Jesus, Poppa.  I don’t know where He is?…” 

Sandy-the-Dog endures being placed in swaddling clothes, but does enjoy the crumbs and treats the grandbebes leave around the house.

Hunter informs me before leaving that we did not do the PJ Party “correctly” because there were no balloons and cake.  He believes with all his heart that a PJ Party must have balloons and cake.  {you try, right?}

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“Two more ‘sleeps’ until Christmas,”  the measurement Gavin and Hunter give to any upcoming event for which they can hardly wait.

Christmas is, after all,  coming.  In only 2 more sleeps!

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Will Baby Jesus be found in time for Christmas?!?

4 Days Out ~ You Better Not Pout!

5 Songs I am Singing, 7 Keep Christmas, 9 TV & Movies/Books & Entertainment, Stuff I Actually Think, , ,

Why I love

Buddy the Elf

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I’m a cotton-headed ninny-muggins!

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Deb, you have such a pretty face.  You should be on a Christmas card!

 

 

elf

I think you’re really beautiful and

I feel really warm when I’m around you and

my tongue swells up.

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First we’ll make snow angels for 2 hours, then we’ll go ice-skating, then we’ll eat a whole roll of  Tollhouse Cookie Dough as fast as we can,

and then

we’ll snuggle.

nutcracker {SON of a NUTcracker!}

I just like to smile, willferrell

 

{answering the phone} Buddy the Elf, what’s your favorite color?

 

I’m sorry I ruined your lives and crammed eleven cookies into the VCR.

 

S A N T A ! ! !  {Omg!}  Santa’s coming! 

I know him! 

I KNOW HIM!

~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~

NOTE TO READERS:  In case you need to know, and I, for one, do…the days start getting longer again starting today! WINTER!  Shorter nights!  Thank goodness!

With only 5 days left, it is imperative to have a plan!

5 Songs I am Singing, 7 Keep Christmas, 9 TV & Movies/Books & Entertainment, Stuff I Actually Think, , ,

Plan for the Day~

Four o’clock~ wallow in self pity
4:30~ stare into the abyss
5:00~ solve world hunger, tell no one
5:30~ jazzercize
6:30~ dinner with me. I can’t cancel that again
7:00~ wrestle with my self-loathing…I’m booked.  Of course, if I bump the loathing to 9, I could still be done in time to lay in bed, stare at the ceil…ing and slip slowly into madness.  But – what would I wear?

-The Grinch (as played by Jim Carrey)…special thanks to DP-the-son-in-law for reminding of us of this hilarious scene and doing a darn fine re-enactment, making us laugh merrily!

Give a Goat for Christmas.  Good for Pomplamoose Music!

Gotta love this unique and charming musical talent.  I suscribe to their Youtube channel because their music (both original and covers of songs I love) make me smile.  Love their ability.  Love their interpretation and delivery.  And?  Now they are giving away 2 FREE MP3’s of their music to anyone who will buy a goat (or some other animal) through World Vision for Christmas!  Music AND heart!  {see details on at the end of the video}  So, give a goat!  Give 5 goats, even!  And, Merry Christmas!

Hey, pssssttt….TODAY is last full day of fall!  Weird, huh?

6 Ding-Dongs Away from THE day!

2 Mi Familia, 3 Celebrations & Festive Events, 5 Songs I am Singing, 7 Keep Christmas, Stuff I Actually Think, , , ,

Dave Barry cracks me up.

“Christmastime is a festive time – a time of parties and presents and songs that we all love, except for Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, which I for one got tired of in approximately 1958, and which now causes me to dislocate my forefinger stabbing the car-radio button. I prefer traditional Christmas carols, such as Ding Dong Merrily on High. I am not making this carol up. The lyrics are:
“Ding dong merrily on high!”
(Something something something)
I don’t know the rest, because I never got past the first line without cracking up. This song used to absolutely slay me and my boyhood friends when we sang it in St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Armonk, N.Y. And no wonder: It is a well-known axiom of music, discovered in 1783 by Mozart (this was Herb Mozart), that “there is no such thing as a bad song that has ‘ding dong’ in the title.” Other examples are Ding Dong the Witch is Dead and Shama Lama Ding Dong, which is not to be confused with Rama Lama Ding Dong, also an excellent song…”

-A classic from Dave  Barry’s column in 2004. You may read the rest, which is titled, “Who Named these Guys Wise Men?”, here.

Amy Jo and Damon welcomed Piper Johanna 6 days ahead of schedule.

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Yeah!  Baby Piper, due to arrive on Christmas Eve, arrived at 3:15 on Friday.  Good tidings of great joy for Amy Jo and Damon, who were unable to join us for a little Christmas Merriment last night, but were having their own fa-la-la-la-la rejoicing!  We (the “3rd Thursdays”, see above and please note the cute reindeer ornament I am wearing made by Chloe and Cody-so cute!)  got to talk to new mommy on speaker phone and wish her merry merry times with Baby Girl, who is blond and, at least in this picture, looks just like her daddy.  Welcome little Piper (I have a strong urge to call you Pipi ~ will your mama kill me??)!

Stormie was a Secret Santa at Work

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She made an ornament from wire and old buttons and put chocolate under glass.  Cute, eh?

“Christmas is coming, Christmas won’t wait.  The presents need wrapping.  I cannot be late!” – by me, actually, just this second.  Destined to be a classic Christmas quote, I am certain.